The History of England: Volume I

David Hume (7 May 1711 to 25 August 1776) was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment.[In 1754 to 1762 Hume published the History of England, a six-volume work of immense sweep, which extends, says its subtitle, “From the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution in 1688”. Inspired by Voltaire's sense of the breadth of history, Hume widened the focus of history, away from merely Kings, Parliaments, and armies, to literature and science as well. He argued that the quest for liberty was the highest standard for judging the past, and concluded that after considerable fluctuation, England at the time of his writing had achieved “the most entire system of liberty, that was ever known amongst mankind.” This Volume I of the Chronicon Edition covers the period from Julius Caesar’s invasion of England to the reign of King John.